Motocross Madness 2
Score: 100% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Microsoft Studios Developer: Microsoft Studios Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: Wow! That was my first word when I started playing Microsoft's Motocross Madness 2 and I have continued to say it over the last few days. I am an owner of the original Motocross Madness and I am a big fan of the realism that it depicted. Motocross Madness 2 has taken a wonderful game and made it more visually stimulating by bigger and better tracks. According to Microsoft's web site, the tracks are four times the size of the ones in the original game, with more than six times the detail. After playing for about 30 seconds, you begin to realize that there are many more things to collide with. There are more trees, bushes, cars, buildings, and even a spaceship or two that goes by. Over 50,000 interactive 3D objects are meant to immerse you into the Motocross world. Sound wise, Microsoft offers the state of the art once again with a 3D soundscape and a music track that is pulsating with high energy guitar and head banging drums. Motocross Madness 2 also introduces the new downloadable 3D-terrain editor where you will be able to create your own tracks and environments - even customize your own bikes and drivers to make the game a more personal experience.
Gameplay: When I first started playing the original Motocross Madness, I was brand new to the world of Motocross. I didn't know what Baja was or how challenging the stunt quarry would be. I soon learned and fell off many a bike trying to do a bar hop. Motocross Madness 2 offers two new racing modes, Enduro Racing and Pro Circuit Racing. Enduro is where you have to get from Point A to Point B in many different environments and environmental conditions. Your track may be slick or may have mud, gravel or ice on it. The Pro Circuit is where a single player will start off as a rookie and continue up the ranks, earning money, titles, and sponsorship dollars. For the Nationals and Supercross tracks, Microsoft went to the source in enlisting the expertise of Supercross sensation Stephane Roncada. Motocross Madness 2 also offers many multi-player options, which include the formation of online teams and leagues. Plus, there is a new online scoring system, which allows players to rank themselves against players from all over the Internet. I do feel that I am obligated to mention the warning Microsoft gives. DON'T TRY THESE MOVES AT HOME! Some of the riding in the game is meant for entertainment purposes only and if you were to do some of the moves and stunts, you would have to be the best Motocross driver in the world.
Difficulty: A good thing about Motocross Madness 2 is that they are able to simulate one of the hardest things in the world to do, real Motocross driving. They give you the ability to experience the thrill of Supercross competition without having to get out of your chair. If you are new to Motocross or racing games in general, each of the races has three difficulty settings, Easy, Medium, and Hard, which can be set before you begin. Of course, some of the tracks are harder than others. You can also turn off your vegetation collision, so you won't run into that tree when it jumps out into your path.
Game Mechanics: To really enjoy Motocross Madness 2, it will be helpful to have one of two items. One, a multi-button joystick. Controlling your driver takes only a little while to get accustomed to, but the challenge will come in learning how to complete that Air Walk stunt without crashing. To accomplish a stunt, you will wait until you are airborne and press either button three or four on your joystick (z or x on your keyboard) and move in a designated direction. The principles are the same on the game pad (the other item I suggest you have), but I found it harder to control. I guess I am just used to joysticks.
-Wickserv, GameVortex Communications AKA Eric Wickwire
Minimum System Requirements: 300 Pentium II or higher or 233 Pentium II or higher with 8MB 3D video acceleration, 64 MB RAM, 200 MB of available hard-disk space, 4X or faster CD-ROM, Display DirectX 7 video card, Windows 95 or later. Peripherals Required: Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device. Miscellaneous Recommended: DirectSound 7.0 API-compatible sound card with speakers or headphones, 28.8 modem or higher for head-to-head internet play, Joystick/gamepad   Test System: GX-450xl running Windows 98, 256 RAM, Creative Sound Blaster 64CPCI with Boston Acoustic Digital Media Theatre, STB Velocity 4400 with RIVA TNT chip, DirectX 7, 32 Mb RAM, 6X24 DVD-ROM.
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